How Does a Flower Drink Water?

The process by which a flower absorbs water begins in the soil in which it's rooted. When it rains, the soil absorbs water, and plants need water in order to absorb the nutrients surrounding their roots. Even plants that grow in desert and arid climates need to absorb their water this way.

Each root is covered in tiny root hairs. The numerous root hairs create a large surface contact area between the plant's roots and the soil. This allows the plant to be efficient in its absorption of water from the surrounding soil.

Forces called osmotic pressure and root pressure will force the absorbed water into the plant's leaves and higher regions. Osmotic pressure causes water to pass through cell membranes in the root hairs. After that, the process receives a little help from root pressure. Root pressure is created by the buildup of salt and minerals in the roots, which then forces the flower's sap to rise up through the plant.

Sap is like a plant's blood. It delivers nutrients to the plant cells, which process them in the leaves through a process called "photosynthesis." Photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert nutrients into sugar, and ultimately into ATP. ATP is an energy source required by all living things. During this process, the leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen.

Now the plant has the energy it needs to survive. By "drinking" water through its roots, the plant is able to survive even in some of the harshest climates.

References

• How Plants Grow
• Plant Food, You Say?
• Photosynthesis